Articulated beam



Dec. 9, 1952 MQLE ROY 2,520,904

ARTICULATED BEAM Filed July 31, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 9, 1952 M.-LE ROY ARTICULATED BEAM Filed July 31, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2' .v i I w 3 I cu "H a 2 L1 i g 1 U a; t

z'c/7e/ L230} Dec. 9, 1952 M. LE ROY ARTICULATED BEAM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 31, 1946 Z 22 v fill 501 Mic/ze/ Le B09 5 Patented Dec. 9, 1952 ART-ICULATEI) BEAM Michel Le Roy, Paris, France Application July'31, 1946, Serial No. 687,350 In France August 8, 1945 2 Claims.

The present inventionrelatssto an articulated beam.

More particularly the invention relates to an improvement in that type of articulated beam shown anddescribed in my prior Patent 2,143,953, issued January 17, 1939.

In general the articulated beam structure includes a plurality of panels pivotally mounted so that they can'be folded to form masts or beams of triangular cross-section, the panels beingconnectedinrows of three constituting intermediate panels and a lateral or end panelon each side of the intermediate panel, three pivotally interconnected panels constituting a unit and a plurality of said; panel units being connected in series by a joint permitting flexure of one panel unit of three interconnected panels relative to the other about anlaxis perpendicular to theaxes of rotation of the panels of each unit.

With the aforedescribed relationship the panels can be extended into a common plane with the one panel unit being capable-of pivoting relative to the other panel unit-and the lateralpanels-of, each unit can be pivoted about axes extending longitudinally of. the interconnected units to form a triangular mast. or beam when the outer ends of the respective lateral panels are connected to one another.

In accordance with the present invention the articulated beam structure has for a primary'object to provide such a pivoted relationship between theinterconnectedpanel units that when the end panels of successive units are swung toward one another to form-thetriangular beam thehinge eyesof the panels, where they are pivotally interconnected, are clamped to one another to provide arigid relationship-of: intercone nected panels.

More particularly the-present invention has for anobject to provide an articulated beam including a panel assembly in whichthe hinge eyes of the various panels ofa group of three panels are symmetrically arranged in such fashion that when two consecutive groupsare connected about a two-part pintel or rod passing through the. hinge eyes, the hinge eyes of four adjacent panels in twosuccessive units are in alignment and the pintels or rods constitute pivots in threaded engagement with sockets provided, respectively, with threads of opposite pitch and carried by panels, appertaining respectively to each of the successive groups, so that when the end panels are folded toward one another to-form the triangularbeam, thethreaded engagement between the pintels and the sockets effects axial movement of the sockets toward and away from one another in accordance with the direction of rotation of the panels of each group relative to one another depending on whether thepanels are being assembled to form the triangular beam or developed into a plane topermit folding or winding of the system of interconnected panel units as disclosed in my above identified prior patent.

Additionally the invention has for an object to provide an articulated beam, including a rotatable pin having a threaded end mounted in a socket in. one of the outer hinge eyes of the end panels of the group, the pin projecting longitudinally of that panel and being provided with looking surfaces engageable respectively with the outermost hinge eyes of the other lateral panels of successive interconnected panel units, when folded into the triangular relationship, with the rotation of the. pineiiecting a locking movement of the assembled outermost hinge eyes to additionally rigidify the articulated triangular beam.

Broadly speakingthe invention therefore has for an object to provide pivoting members of successive units of pivotally connected panels having surfaces of opposite pitch or slopes of differentvalueswhich whenrotated relatively to one another provide, for longitudinal movement toward one another. of the panels of the succes sive interconnected units'to rigidity the resulting triangular mast.

Further andmore specific objects will be apparent from the accompanying drawings'illustrating two forms of the invention and in Which Figure 1 is an elevational view of one anel unit constituting three panels pivotally connected and shown in ail-inoperative position whe-nlying in .a common plane.

Figure 2 is aplan view from above of the panel unit of Figure 1 when the same is in operative position andiorming the triangular beam.

Figure'B is a vertical cross-sectional View on an enlarged.v scale illustrating the arrangement for. assemblingfour adjacent. panels of successive interconnected panel units.

Figure 4 is across-sectionalview taken through line IVIV of FigureB, illustrating the pivotal connection between the successive units permit 3 showing interconnected panel units and the joint therebetween, with portions of this view constituting a sectional view taken on line VII-VII of Figure 5.

Figures 8 and 9 are partial cross-sectional views taken along lines VIIIVIII and IX-IX of Figure 7 and illustrating the panels in partial folded relation relative to one another.

Figure 10 is an elevational view of a detail of a locking pin carried by one of the lateral panels of each unit of panels.

Figures 11 and 12 are vertical cross-sectional views of a locking cup that cooperates with a locking pin.

Figures 13 is a plan view from above of the cup illustrated in Figures 11 and 12.

Figures 14, 15 and 16 respectively illustrate sectional views taken along lines XIV-XIV, XVXV and XVI-XVI of Figure 7, the lateral panels illustrated as folded in succession.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, each panel unit includes panels A, B and C of rectangular configuration pivotally secured together about axes extending longitudinally of each panel at the opposite sides of the intermediate panel A so that the end panels B and C can be unfolded, as shown in Figure 1, to lie in a common plane with panel A or folded toward one another, as illustrated in Figure 2, to provide the triangular prism or beam.

To provide the triangular mast of such panel units, a series of units are interconnected so that the pivoting axes of the panels of the respective units lie in alignment with one another. The pivoting axis including, as illustrated in Figure 3, two rods or pintels a, a respectively pivotally connected about a pintel or pivot 12 extending tranversely of the longitudinal axis of rotation. The relation of the pivot b permitting the unit of panels A, B, C to pivot about the axis 1) relative to the next successive unit of panels including the panels A, B shown in Figure 3 so that the two interconnected panel units assume the position illustrated in Figure 4.

As set forth hereinbefore the present invention has for an object to provide in the triangulated beam structure an improved pivot arrangement connecting the panels in such fashion as to provide perfect rigidity of the panels when assembled in the form of a triangular beam or mast.

As disclosed with particular reference to Figure 3, the axes of rotation of the panels of the group relative to one another constitutes the two-part pintel or rod a, a. These rods are threaded with respective left and right hand pitches and are in engagement with sockets d and (1 respectively, that are correspondingly threaded and secured to the two superposed panels A, A. The socket d mounted in the panel A is permanently secured inside the tube e forming the part of panel A by a threaded engagement within a sleeve 1 which sleeve in turn is screwed within the tube e and the assembled arrangement of sleeve ,1 and socket d is held fast by means of a transverse pin g.

The rod a is in threaded engagement with the socket d which is mounted within the tube e of panel A in a manner to permit angular adjustment of this socket relative to the socket d. With this adjustment in view, the socket d is frictionally fitted within another socket 11" so that the socket d may rotate with slight friction relative to the socket d. The socket d" is in threaded engagement within a sleeve ,f in turn threadedly engaged inside the tube e of panel A. As illustrated in Figure 3 the head of the socket d, which is polygonal, is surrounded by a polygonal adjusting ring d, the hinge eye m of panel A being of reduced thickness so as to permit manipulation of the ring 11" and thus the socket (1 within the socket d. The lower end of the socket d constitutes a threaded shank and a nut h is engaged over this shank to bear against the lower end of socket 6.". Suitable means, not shown, are provided to adjustably maintain the ring d in rigid relationship with respect to the hinge eye m. The internal threads of the socket d have a pitch that is opposite to that of the threaded shank of this socket and also opposed to the pitch of the threads of the rod :1 so that when the panels are assembled in the triangular form the socket d does not merely rotate with the rotation of the rod a. This rod a is provided as shown with a square shaped enlarged portion a that fits within a recess of similar shape provided in the hinge eye 2" in the panel B so that when panel B is rotated the rod a moves therewith.

It is thus clear that when the panels B, B are folded toward panels A, A, rotation of the rods a, a relative to the sockets d, (1' due to the opposite pitch relationship in the respective threaded engagements effects movement of the hinge eyes m, m toward one another in clamping relationship relative to the hinge eyes i, i so that the panels of the successive groups of panels are securely clamped in rigid relationship along the lateral edges of the intermediate panels A, A. As shown the nut It bears against the lower surface of the sleeve (1'' thus effecting the axial movement of the panel A toward panel A during pivotation of the lateral panels toward the intermediate panels. Inasmuch as the similar pivoting relationship is embodied in the connection of the panels C, C with panels A, A on the opposite lateral edge of the intermediate panels the final triangular beam will have perfect rigidity along the edges thereof.

The adjustable relationship of the locking ring d relative to the socket d permits compensating for any clearance existing in the panels due to wear of the hinge eyes in use.

When the panels are unfolded from the triangular form the rotation of the rods a, a in the opposite direction effects the opposite axial movement of the sockets d, d to relax the clamping relationship.

With respect to Figure 4, illustrating the rocking of one panel unit about its transverse axis relative to the successive panel unit, suitable recesses j are provided in the hinge eyes i, i of the panels B, B and C, C on the sides thereof toward which it is desired to provide the rocking movement of the panel units relative to one another. When the panels are pivoted to form the triangular beam as shown in Figure 2 these recesses ;i are shifted with reference to one another so that the hinge eyes i, 2' lie flush against one another in a stable relationship.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 a roller k is provided on a ring I inserted between the hinge eye m on panel A and the base of the socket d. Similar rollers are arranged on the three edges of the mast and serve to facilitate the erection of the mast. These roller members are an optional feature of the articulated beam.

It is further believed that within the scope of the invention that details of structure of rods 11, a and sockets d, d and d" can be modified as well as the shape and form ofthe panels A, 'B, C.

With particular reference to Figures Etc 13 the median panels A1 and A1 of the successive groups are connected'tothe lateral or end panels B1 or B1 of successive groups through pivoting arrangements similar to those described in connecti'on with Figure 3 and. which pivoting arrangements are illustrated in more detail in Fieurel.

Each of: the panels of. Figure '7 comprises a frame including the end tube e and cross members withthe hinge eyes m, i, i, m of successive panelunits' being secured bymeans of screws or bolts to angles of the frame.

The, length of the tube members e, e of successive panel units is of, course determined in accordance with desired length of the panel.

Figures 5 to 1'6 illustrate the connection of the lateral panels B1, C1 with panels B1, C1 on the third edge of the triangular beam when the lateral panels are folded toward one another.

The hinge eyes of the lateral panels as at n, p, p, n are of different construction from the hinge eyes on the opposite sides of the median panels 0t each group and the assembly of the lateral anels with one another further includes the locking pins or rod q carried by the hinge eyes of one lateral panel of each successive unit of panels. s

As illustrated in Figure '7 when the panels are in developed position so that they lie in a common plane, the disposition of the lateral hinge eyes 12!, n, p, p of successive panels B1., B1 bears such relation to the successive hinge eyes p, p, 11.3, n of the lateral panels C1, C1 that when the panelsare folded in triangulated relationship the hinge eye 50 of .panel Crfits between the hinge eye n of panel B1 and the hinge eye p of panel Br and the hinge eye 11. ofpanel 'Ci" fits beneath these three immediately aforementioned hinge eyes so that the four hinge eyes n, I p, n are inalignment so that manipulation of the pin q as described hereinafter effect rigidifying ojf jthese'hinge eye's along the'third edge of the triangulated beam. *Of course additional pins q and a similar structural relationship of hinge eye's follows longitudinally throughout successive interconnected units with the exception "that'in the arrangement shown the pins q are'mounted on opposite lateralpanels of successive groups.

Each of these pins 11 is mounted within the hinge eye n of panel 131 of one group and panel C1 of the next adjacent group. As illustrated in Figure '10, the pin q is provided with a T shaped end q which fits within, the cup '11 provided in thehinge' eye 1;; This-cup n" includes a circular recess provided with a lateral gate or notch through which the T-shaped end of the pin q may pass whenthe pin assumes a suitable angular-position. This'gate or notch however bears such-a width in relation to the shape of thehead of the pin q that when the pin is slightly rotated by movement of the spanner r as described hereinafter the T-shaped head cannot be withdrawn from the notch and thus the hinge eye n remains successivepositioning of the hinge eyes Vp,',p'.,n.' secures thelockingof the panels B1, C1 and B1201. to one another as illustrated in plan in Figured. The rotation of the pin q screws the samelongitudinally within a threaded socket s lccked'by' a nut t, in a sleeve 8' in turn screwed inside the tube e of panel Bl as shown in more "detail in Figures 7 and 9. This axial movement of thecpin relative to the socket clampsthe hinge-eyessn, p, p, 12' together to form a rigid relationship-similar to the clamping action effected'when the rodsra, a' are rotated.

The rotation of the spindle q is "performediby means of a spanner illustrated in Figure 7. This 'spanneror wrench T is provided with a :usual handle and includes a cylindrical head housed inside a recess in the hinge eye 11. of panel-B1. This head has an internal polygonal shape teen-Q- gagea polygonal section q4 of pin q. Thispolygonalsection fits exactly inside therecess inthe head o'f'the wrench and the recess in the hinge eye is so shaped as to limit the movement of the Wrench to positions permitting engagement "of the pin-inside the cup-of'the-hinge eye n 'oi'pan'el C1, in hinge eye p of panel B1, in the hingeeye p of panel C1 or in the locking position. for all the hinge eyes n, n, p, n of panels 331', C1, B1'-," C1'.'. The extreme positions of the wrench correspond to the engagement of the lateral walls of: the recess in the hinge eye against the wrench handle corresponding respectively'to the positioned the panels in their open and closed locked-position. When the beam erecting or unfolding operations are respectively completed, :the wrench is 'held fast in either one of the end .positions through the engagement of ball 1", urged by a spring 1"" mounted inside the recess in .the hingeeye .11., with cooperating recesses formedinthe periphery-50f the headof the wrench. 7

With reference to Figure '7, it clear that in the assembly of the panels into a triangular beam. panel 31 is first elevated and then panel-Ci is raised, tobe followed by panel B1 and lastly panelCi'. The pin q is rotatedslightly each time in the desired direction. Simultaneously with. the locking of the hinge eyes n, p,. p, n. of thelateral panels, the hinge eyes, m, i, if, m on the inter,- mediate panels are clamped in the manner-described with reference to Figures l'to 4 whereby the assembly of the panels of the successive groups in triangular formation is rendered rigid. Any play in the hinging relationship of the panels may be compensated for by the adjustable mounting of the sockets d and s.

For dismantling or unfolding the triangular beam it is sufiicient to proceed in the reverse manner and as the panels are opened in succession into a common plane system may bereeled about a suitable drum or winch as described. in my prior patent by reason of the provision of the transverse pivots b interconnecting the 'II'OdS a,

a and the provision for removal of the pins .q

from the hinge eyes n. This folding relationship is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

It is clear therefore that the present invention provides an articulated beam that comprises a structural assembly of interconnected panelunits and which assembly constitutes three longitudinal rows of rectangular panels withthe rows being arranged side by side. Each panel is provided with a hinge eye at each of its four corners, the hinge eyes that are arranged on the opposite sides of the panels of the intermediate row of panels being in groups of four superposed hinge eyes respectively appertaining to four adjacent panels of successive groups. The hinge eyes on the lateral panels are arranged in groups of two superposed hinge eyes when the panels are unfolded. The groups of two superposed hinge eyes are arranged symmetrically with relation to the intermediate panels so that they are adapted to be imbricated or overlapped when the lateral rows of panels are folded toward each other by pivoting them around the longitudinal edges of the intermediate rows of panels and when folded toward one another the outer hinge eyes of sucsive lateral panels in two successive groups of panels forming four superposed hinge eyes in longitudinal alignment. We thus have a triangulated structure in which four hinge eyes are provided along each corner of the triangulated structure in superimposition and alignment and in overlapping relationship. A pair of rods are mounted within each group of four superposed hinge eyes of four adjacent panels including panels of the intermediate row of panels and these rods are pivotally interconnected by a pivot having its axis parallel to the transverse sides of the intermediate hinge eyes. A pin is mounted in one of the hinge eyes of the two groups of two hinge eyes in the lateral panels and includes an outer end protruding in said one hinge eye while the other three hinge eyes of said two groups of hinge eyes of the lateral panels are provided with lateral apertures which receive the outer end of U the spindle when said lateral rows of panels are folded toward one another.

One of the rods is held rotatably fast with one of the intermediate hinge eyes of the group of four superposed hinge eyes of the four adjacent panels including the median row of panels and an internally threaded socket is provided in each outermost hinge eye of the groups of four superposed hinge eyes, with the ends of the respective rods being threaded with reverse pitches and in engagement with similar threads on the respective sockets so that when the panel with. respect to which one of the rods is rotatably fast is folded toward the other panels the ends of both rods will be screwed into the sockets so that the intermediate hinge eyes of each group of four superposed hinge eyes will be clamped by the outermost hinge eyes.

It is further clear that the invention comprises a T-shaped end on the pin and an internally threaded socket fast to the hinge eye carrying the pin with the pin having a screw threaded end in engagement with the socket and recesses provided in the other hinge eyes of the two groups of two superposed hinge eyes to receive the pin and a spanner controlling the rotation of movement of the pin so that when the tWo groups of two superposed hinge eyes are assembled together on the pin to form another group of four superposed hinge eyes, the T-shaped end will bear against a socket on one of the hinge eyes receiving the same to draw the several hinge eyes together in clamping relationship.

Having now described my invention, what I desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. An articulated beam comprising a structural assembly of three longitudinal rows of rectangular panels, said rows being arranged side by side, each panel having a hinge eye at each of its four corners, said hinge eyes being arranged on either sides of the intermediate row of panels in groups of four superposed hinge eyes pertaining to four adjacent panels and on either sides of a pair of lateral rows of panels in groups of two superposed hinge eyes, the hinge eyes of each first mentioned group of superposed hinge eyes being aligned longitudinally whilst the groups of two hinge eyes are arranged symmetrically to the intermediate row of panels and are adapted on the one hand to be imbricated into each other when said lateral rows of panels are folded toward each other by pivoting about the longitudinal edges of said intermediate row of panels and, on the other hand, to form in this position a group of four superposed hinge eyes in longitudinal alignment, a pair of rods mounted in each group of four superposed hinge eyes of four adjacent panels, a pivot having it axis parallel to the transverse sides of a panel adjoining one of said intermediate hinge eyes of said group of four superposed hinge eyes of four adjacent panels, both rods bein rotatably mounted on said pivot, a pin mounted in one of the hinge eyes of said two groups of two hinge eyes that are symmetrical in relation to said intermediate row of panels, said pin having an outer end protruding from said one hinge eye whilst the other three hinge eyes of said two groups of two hinge eyes symmetrical in relation to said intermediate row of panels are each provided with a lateral aperture adapted to receive said outer end of said pin when said lateral rows of panels are folded toward each other by pivoting about the rods mounted in each group of four superposed hinge eyes of four adjacent panels, one of said rods being rotatably fast with one of the intermediate hinge eyes of said group of four superposed hinge eyes of four adjacent panels hingedly connected through said rods, said rods being screw-threaded with reverse pitches at each of their ends opposite to the pivot through which they are pivotally connected to each other, each outermost hinge eye of the groups of four superposed hinge eyes of four adjacent panels hingedl connected through said pair of rods, having an internally screw-threaded socket fast therewith, the threaded ends of said pair of rods being screwed in said sockets whereby on folding the panel rotatably fast with one of said rods toward the panels adjoining the outermost hinge eyes of said group of four superposed hinge eyes of said four adjacent panels hingedly connected through said rods, the ends of both rods will be screwed in said sockets, said intermediate hinge eyes will be clamped between said outermost hinge eyes and therefore said four adjacent panels hingedly connected through said rods tightened against one another.

2. An articulated beam comprising a structural assembly of three longitudinal rows of rectangular panels, said rows being arranged side by side, each panel having a hinge eye at each of its four corners, said hinge eyes being arranged on either sides of the intermediate row of panels in groups of four superposed hinge eyes pertaining to four adjacent panels and on either sides of a pair of lateral rows of panels in groups of two superposed hinge eyes, the hinge eyes of each first mentioned group of superposed hinge eyes being aligned longitudinally whilst the groups of two hinge eyes are arranged symmetrically to the intermediate row of panels and are adapted on the one hand to be imbricated into each other when said lateral rows of panels are folded toward each other by pivoting about the longitudinal edges of said intermediate row of panels and, on the other hand, to form in this position a group of four superposed hinge eyes in longitudinal alignment, a pair of rods mounted in each group of four su- 9 pe-rposed 'hlnge eyes of four adjacent panels, a pivot having its axis parallel to the transverse sides of a panel adjoining one of said intermediate hinge eyes of said group of 'four superposed hinge eyes of four adjacent panels, both rods being rotatably mounted on said pivot, a pin having one end mounted in one of the hinge eyes of said two groups of two hinge eyes that are symmetrical in relation to said intermediate row of panels, said pin having an outer end protruding from said one hinge eye whilst the other three hinge eyes of said two groups of two hinge eyes which are symmetrical in relation to said intermediate row of panels are each provided with a lateral aperture adapted to receive said outer end of said pin when said lateral rows of panels are folded toward each other by pivoting about the rods mounted in each group of 'four superposed hinge eyes of four adjacent panels, the terminal portion of the outer end of said pin having a T-shape, the other end thereof mounted in the hinge eye being screw-threaded, each of the hinge eyes provided with a pin having an internally-screw-threaded socket fast therewith, said screw-threaded end of said p-in being screwed in said socket and a spanner controlling the rotational movement of said pin whereby, on rotating said pin by means of said spanner after having engaged on said. pin the lateral apertures of the three hinge eyes of the two groups of two hinge eyes which are symmetrical in relation to the intermediate row oI panels outside the hinge eye in which said pin is mounted, said pin will be screwed home in said socket, said T-shaped end of said pin will be brought closer to the hinge eye in which said pin is mounted and, therefore, the pair of hinge eyes interposed between the hinge eye of the panel in which said pin is mounted and the hinge eye on which said T-shaped end is caused to bea will be tightened.

MICHEL LE ROY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,143,953 Le Roy Jan. 17, 1939 

